Engineering
How to become a civil engineer
Plans and designs roads, bridges, railways, water and flood defences, and manages them being built.
What the job involves
- Designing structures and road layouts
- Site visits and surveys
- Checking safety and environmental impact
- Managing contractors and budgets
Useful school subjects
Engineering Science, Graphic Communication. Higher Maths and English help with most routes.
How to get in
Degree in civil engineering. Graduate Apprenticeships in civil engineering are offered at several universities.
Scottish courses
Grades checked October 2026. Requirements change every year, so always check the course page.
University · University of StrathclydeCivil Engineering
BEng (Hons), 4 yrs · UCAS H200
StandardAAABWidening accessBBBB
- Subjects
- Maths at A, or at B with a science; N5 English (Higher preferred)
- Notes
- AABBB also accepted. A Foundation Apprenticeship can replace a non-essential Higher.
University · Heriot-Watt UniversityCivil Engineering
BEng (Hons), 4 yrs · UCAS H200
StandardAABBWidening accessBBBC
- Subjects
- Maths or a relevant technological subject; N5 English
University · Edinburgh Napier UniversityCivil Engineering
BEng (Hons), 4 yrs · UCAS H203
StandardBBBCWidening accessBCCC
- Subjects
- Maths (Applications of Maths not accepted)
Graduate Apprenticeship · Heriot-Watt, Strathclyde, Napier, GCU, UWS and UHICivil Engineering (Graduate Apprenticeship)
BEng/BSc (Hons)
- Subjects
- A GA job with a civil engineering employer
- Notes
- Offered by several universities. Employers advertise GA vacancies on apprenticeships.scot.
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